Why BerlIn - Global Production Engineering - TU Berlin

exploit synergies and further develop TU
Berlin’s profile.
The university has been home to many
renowned scientists. Three-color photography
and rotogravure printing were developed
here. Research into motor vehicle design,
radiotelegraphy, machine kinematics and
early television techniques provided the
basis for a number of modern technologies.
Georg Schlesinger’s pioneering research into
the interaction of machine tool design and
factory management contributed to the development
of ergonomics and biomedical technology.
Ernst Ruska, who later won the Nobel
Prize, built the first electron microscope at
the Technical College of Berlin. Konrad Zuse
constructed the first freely programmable
calculating machine, a precursor of modern
computers, out of spare parts.
The Center unites the Institute for Machine
Tools and Factory Management and the
Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems
and Design Technology under one roof.
The main thrust of the current reforms at
TU Berlin has been to improve teaching and
study conditions. The changes are governed
by the “Guidelines for Further Development
of Study Programs” adopted by TU Berlin’s
Academic Senate in February of 2000. One
of the goals of the measures has been to
reduce study times in order to increase the
attractiveness and competitiveness of the
university degrees on the labor market.
Another important goal is to enhance the
international quality of the education offered
at TU Berlin. For this reason, a growing number
of international studies programs leading
to bachelor’s and master’s degrees are
being established. Modular course systems
are being introduced to allow more flexible
studies. This makes it easier to take part in international
exchange programs, increases the
freedom of choice regarding courses within
the faculties, and encourages interdisciplinary
studies. According to the guidelines, TU
students are expected to devote 15 percent
of their studies to disciplines outside their
own fields.
The new budgeting system offers financial
rewards for improving study conditions in the
individual faculties.
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